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This stunner decided to show herself this evening close enough to the front of the tank to get a couple of nice shots. The tank is going great guns with heaps of native shrimp and now some more newly hatched spotted blue eye fry.

They will change colour and pattern, it seems to be mood and environment inspired. I guess mine are mostly keeping the mottled pattern because of the large log they mostly hang out in, on and around and the "threat" of predation by the spotted blue eyes. I have never seen the blue eyes show any interest in the shrimp, but they probably would eat shrimplets, but sub adult and adult shrimp seem to be too big for the spotted blue eyes.

PM sent. I didn't think I should openly disclose prices in case it was a special deal only for me. Just wanted to respect the tank builder.

I think planning and putting ideas down on paper is important and helps minimise errors. I do accept there'll be some 'oops' moments but hopefully with a good plan, such moments could be greatly reduced. Every trip to Bunnings/Masters was an inspiring scouting trip for items I could potentially use in the build... timber, board, screws, plumbing, etc. I keep an Excel spreadsheet to document materials (including number of screws... haha), costs, dimensions, calculations, and even stocking list. Yes, I am a geek and I love my Excel. Haha. I plan what will be going in those tanks, flora and fauna, right down to the exact quantity... haha. Oh dear... I am getting a new perspective of myself. Some of the calculations I do include stocking level (species specific) for tank volume, sump volume to allow for overflow in power outages, water level in the tanks so water line would be hidden, dimensions to hide the plumbing and insulating foam, sump media volume, even the baffle height in the sump to accommodate those ridiculously long Eheim Jager heaters (i.e. Pythagoras theorem in 3D) so that if the return pump runs dry, the heater would still be submerged in water to prevent overheating and potentially shattering the glass element. I am also building up plans for a semi-automated water change solution out of 2 x 200L water drums. This could possibly be for another post when I get to it. Anyway, ideas started building in my head in May this year. The actual build only started in late June. It has been a slow process trying to juggle between family, full-time work and part-time uni (including those bloody exams). This is where I am now. An undercoat was applied early this week and the rack is ready to be painted. Tanks have been made and ready for pick up. We are at the end of July. Yes I am slow. Haha. Taken the rack apart to apply an undercoat.

Loving this!